System and cover element for air sealing

ABSTRACT

A system for air sealing of leaks in building corners in a wall portion made up by a framework, including a cover element with two overlapping and plane flexible film portions, which are connected to each other along a first edge portion. The film portions include linear folding lines to enable unfolding of the cover element for forming a three-dimensional geometry including a main surface and a collar which projects from the main surface and is formed integrally therewith and which corresponds to three sides of the beam portion.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is a division of and is based upon and claims thebenefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 for U.S. Ser. No. 12/645,570,filed Dec. 23, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference. U.S. Ser. No. 12/645,570 claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Swedish Patent Application No.080268-5, filed Dec. 23, 2008.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system and a cover element for airsealing of leaks in building corners and at an intersection between awall portion and a beam portion projecting from the wall portion.

BACKGROUND ART

In the construction field there are a number of different types ofexternal walls, such as stud walls of wood or steel and massive wallsof, for example, concrete.

For exterior sealing for the purpose of preventing intrusion of water ina building foundation and for the provision of a wind shield, onesolution is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,512. The document disclosesa flexible membrane adapted for exterior sealing of a masonry buildingfoundation. Yet, the membrane allows passage of air, admittingdehydration of the humidity that is naturally found in the building.Another solution to the same problem is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,401B1, disclosing a molded three-dimensional plastics geometry adapted tobe mounted against a building corner on the exterior side of a wallportion.

The present invention relates however to interior sealing of buildingsand more precisely air sealing of building corners with the purpose ofcreating an airtight vapour retarder/vapour barrier on the interior sideof the building for improved energy consumption by reduced energy lossesand controlled ventilation.

Massive concrete walls and plastered brick walls largely consist ofinorganic material which is not particularly sensitive to moisture.Moreover they are in most cases very airtight and resist moisture verywell, and therefore no additional air sealing with a separate vapourbarrier or vapour retarder is usually considered necessary.

Other walls such as wood stud walls must be air sealed and protectedfrom moisture. This type of wall in fact largely consists of organicmaterial, such as wood and paper-coated gypsum boards, and is thereforevery sensitive to the action of moisture. In order to further preventdamage due to moisture, reduce energy loss and control the ventilationin the building, thus improving the rational use of energy, the studwalls are provided with a diffusion- and airtight inside and adiffusion-open, windproof and rainproof outside. The diffusion and airseal consists of an airtight film with vapour retarder or vapour barrierproperties and can be made of, for example, plastic film, aluminiumfoil, impregnated kraft paper or laminates of these materials.Laminates, if any, can be provided with a reinforcing carrier layer.

In mounting of the diffusion and air sealing film, problems arise, forexample, in pipe lead-throughs and in irregularities/recesses in thewall structure, such as in windows and doors.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,787 discloses a simple method which is intended forsolutions in which the window frame and the wall are positioned in thesame plane. The diffusion and air sealing film is, according to themethod, first stretched across the window, after which two diagonal cutsare made in the film so that four triangular flaps are formed. Theseflaps are then folded away from the window portion and fastened to thewalls.

In the cases where the window frame and the wall are not positioned inthe same plane but instead a window bay is formed, the above solutioncannot be used. However, initially the same method as described above isused, that is the diffusion and air sealing film is stretched across thewindow and two diagonal cuts are made in the film so as to form fourtriangular flaps. Subsequently these flaps are folded into the windowbay and fastened to its walls, after which residual material in the tipsof the flaps is removed. In this method, there is however no diffusionand air sealing film in the corners, in the following referred to asbuilding corners, at the basis of the flaps. In some cases, theseportions, below referred to as leaks, are left without diffusion seal,resulting in zones that are not tight adjacent the windows with the riskof damage due to moisture, resulting in a great loss of energy. In mostcases, these building corners are, however, sealed by means of pieces ofdiffusion and air sealing film. The leaks in the film that arise in anyof these positions are usually sealed with adhesive tape, sealing stripor jointing material and pieces of film. By these building corners beingthree-dimensional, adhesive tape or sealing strip is attached along andfrequently over an edge, which means that the originally two-dimensionaltape/strip must be folded to follow the three-dimensional extent. Thisrequires precision and patience and often tends to result in undesirablewrinkling. The greatest problem occurs at the point P at which threesurfaces in the building corner coincide and easily several overlappinglayers of adhesive tape are required. If the worst comes to the worst,this can result in difficulties in the subsequent mounting of coverpanels and surface layers.

Traditionally there have been no guide lines and rules to how airsealing is to take place, which means that this takes place at thefitter's discretion. It is also difficult to inspect the quality of thework since walls, window bays etc are subsequently coated withadditional material in the form of, for example, borders, panels, gypsumboards and other facings.

Furthermore, it is nowadays necessary to carry out pressure testing ofmany buildings, in particular low energy buildings, which are oftenreferred to as “passive houses”. Pressure testing occurs to prove thatthe seal is sufficient and to track any leaks before mounting panels andother facings. However, suitable air sealing elements to take care ofany deficiencies are currently not available.

The above problems are associated not only with windows, but also appearin connection with other components, such as doors.

On the other hand, to prevent damage due to moisture, reduce energy lossand allow controlled ventilation in buildings at an intersection betweena wall portion and a beam portion projecting from the wall portion,selected parts such as walls and intermediate floors may be providedwith a diffusion and airsealing film.

An intermediate floor is a load-bearing component, which separates thedifferent storeys of a building. The intermediate floor structurecomprises a structural part, i.e. beams, floor and ceiling. The mainfunction of the beams forming the structural framework is to carry theload of one storey and transferring the weight of this load onto theload-bearing walls and columns. The load is distributed via the floorstructure, which consists of a plurality of beams extending across thebuilding from one outer wall to the other. In the case of the top floorstructure of a building, the intermediate floor is formed by rooftrusses, which are arranged side by side.

To provide a suitable seal, the floor structure, beams and walls areclad, as stated above, with a diffusion and airsealing film. Thecladding is applied before the floors and wall panels are mounted, whichmeans that the film is stretched over the wall portions and the beams,respectively, of the intermediate floor. A consequence of this is thatproblems arise at the portion of the floor structure where it connectsonto the wall, i.e. where each individual beam projects.

At such geometric intersections “patching and mending” is oftenemployed, i.e. the fitter has no choice but to cut the film to the bestof his ability and to patch and seal using individually cut pieces ofleftover film, tape, sealing strips or jointing compound. Depending onthe skill of the fitter, his awareness of the importance of the seal andwhether he is pressed for time or not, there is a risk that someportions will not be sealed at all or will be inadequately sealed, whichmay result in damage due to moisture and considerable energy loss.

Traditionally there has been a lack of guidelines and standardspecifications concerning the provision of airtight sealing, which meansthat the work of the fitter is based on arbitrariness. Furthermore, itis difficult to inspect the quality of the work since the walls andintermediate floor are subsequently clad in additional material in theform of, for example, skirting, panels, plasterboards, floorboards orother cladding.

Moreover, today pressure tests are required for many buildings, inparticular for low-energy buildings, which are often referred to as“passive houses”. The purpose of the pressure test is to document thatthe air tightness is sufficient and to trace any leakage before panelsand other surface cladding are mounted.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a system and a coverelement to be used for air sealing of leaks in building corners andadjacent the intersection between a wall portion and a beam portionprojecting from the wall portion.

Another object of the invention is that the system and cover elementshould be a complete and simple solution that is quick and easy tomount.

A further object of the invention is that they should be easy to adaptto the current geometry of the surface to be sealed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve at least one of the above objects and also further objectsnot stated but that will appear from the following description, thepresent invention relates to a system for air sealing of leaks inbuilding corners in a wall portion made up of a framework, comprising acover element comprising at least two flexible film portions of anairtight film with vapour retarder or vapour barrier properties, whichare interconnected along rim portions by means of linear weld joints,linear fold lines being arranged in said film portions to allow foldingof the cover element to form a three-dimensional geometry consisting ofthree surfaces which meet at a point of intersection, and a diffusionand air sealing film attached to the wall portion, thethree-dimensionally folded cover element being adapted to be fastened tosaid diffusion and air sealing film in said building corners for airsealing of said leaks.

The term building corner refers throughout in the following tostructures in which at least three surfaces coincide so as to form acorner.

The term leak refers to defects, such as gaps, cracks, lead-throughs andincomplete overlappings in a surface that is intended to be airtight.

The inventive cover element can be provided in the form of atwo-dimensional, essentially plane geometry, which makes it easy andcheap to distribute and handle up to mounting in which it is unfolded inone simple operation to form a three-dimensional geometry which directlyor with simple cutting/folding can be mounted in a building corner.

The mounting of the cover element is simple since, when in its foldedthree-dimensional state, it forms large, essentially flat surfaces whichcan be arranged over and seal the leaks that arise when cutting andfolding the diffusion and air sealing film which is initially mountedover the stud wall and the building corner. The time consuming andtrying work of cutting and mounting extra pieces across the leaks canthus be eliminated. The only complementary work that is required isadjusting the cover element to the depth of the building corner inquestion and taping up the rim portions of the cover element to thesurrounding surfaces with diffusion and air sealing film. This work,however, is quick and easy since all surfaces are large, flat and easyto reach. This increases the quality of the sealing work, which in turngreatly reduces the risk of deficient and careless sealing, resulting ina risk of, for instance, damage due to moisture and energy loss.

The design of the cover element is simple, which allows easy andinexpensive production. Moreover, one and the same size of the coverelement can be provided and used since, in connection with mounting, thecover element can easily be adjusted to the depth of the building cornerin question or to a building corner that is possibly not right-angled.The depth of the building corner can, for example, vary depending on thetype and age of the building, building specifications, the make and typeof the window/door.

In case of angular deviations, the cover element can easily, by beingmade of flexible film, be provided with new fold lines so as to fit inthe building corner in question.

At least two of the weld joints can start from said point ofintersection. Moreover, at least two of the fold lines can start fromsaid point of intersection. Alternatively, both said fold lines and saidweld joints can start from said point of intersection. The point ofintersection forms the corner in which the three surfaces coincide whenfolding the cover element to its three-dimensional geometry. The foldlines and the weld joints act to make up the surfaces to formessentially flat surfaces of the three-dimensional geometry.

The three-dimensional folding can be arranged to occur by folding alongat least four lines. At least two of the fold lines may consist of saidweld joints. By letting the weld joints form fold lines, the number offold lines can be reduced, which facilitates manufacture but also thefolding of the cover element to its three-dimensional geometry.

The three surfaces forming the three-dimensional geometry may be threemutually orthogonal surfaces. This allows the cover element to bedirectly mounted in a right-angled building corner without adjustment bymeans of supplementary fold lines. The only adjustment that may benecessary is fitting the size of the surfaces depending on the depth ofthe building corner in question and desirable overlapping of thesurrounding diffusion and air sealing film.

The flexible film portion may consist of an airtight vapour retardermaterial or a vapour barrier material, which is the same type ofmaterial as is normally used in the diffusion and air sealing films thatare available on the market. This means that the fitter can quite easilyuse the same types of adhesive tapes, sealing compounds and the like asare already at his disposal for other sealing work. Furthermore, theproperties of the final diffusion seal are not affected since no newtype of material is added.

Said diffusion and air sealing film can have vapour retarder or vapourbarrier properties.

Said cover element can comprise portions provided with adhesive along atleast some of the rim portions of the three-dimensionally folded coverelement.

Said cover element can have an oversized length of the parts of the rimportions which are adapted to be oriented toward the building cornerduring mounting. In one embodiment, the cover element may comprise twofilm portions, which each have a geometry comprising a trapezoid whichis provided with a right-angled corner and which changes into aright-angled quadrangle to form a straight first rim portion and anopposite angular second rim portion, the second rim portion comprisingtwo weld joints which connect the two film portions and which meet atsaid point of intersection which is arranged along said second rimportion in the transition between the quadrangle and the trapezoid, andeach film portion having a linear fold line which extends between thefirst and the second rim portion from the point of intersection, wherebytwo of the three surfaces, in folding to form said three-dimensionalgeometry, are formed by said right-angled quadrangle and the thirdsurface is formed by said trapezoid by folding along said angular secondrim portion and said linear fold lines.

This embodiment of the cover element is very simple in its design sinceit is made of two identical, overlapping film portions which areinterconnected along a rim portion, which allows very simple andinexpensive manufacture.

In another embodiment, the cover element may comprise a first filmportion in the form of a right-angled quadrangle folded in two and asecond film portion which in its state folded in two has a trapezoidform provided with a right-angled corner, said first and second filmportions being interconnected along two weld joints to form together astraight first rim portion and an opposite angular second rim portion,the fold lines of the first and the second film portion being joined atthe point of intersection to form said second rim portion, and said weldjoints extending between said first and second rim portions from thepoint of intersection, whereby two of the three surfaces, in folding toform said three-dimensional geometry, are formed by said right-angledquadrangle and the third surface is formed by said trapezoid by foldingalong said second rim portion and said weld joints.

In a further embodiment, the cover element may comprise a first filmportion in the form of a first right-angled quadrangle, which by meansof three fold lines and a slit is divided into four quadrants, whichmeet at a point of intersection, and a second film portion in the formof a right-angled triangle folded in two along the hypotenuse, thesecond film portion being, along two of its legs, connected by weldingto the first film portion along both edges of said slit, whereby saidlegs coincide with the fold lines of the first film portion at the pointof intersection, and whereby two of the three surfaces, in folding toform said three-dimensional geometry, are formed by two of saidquadrants and the third surface is formed by the remaining two quadrantsand said triangle three-dimensionally folded along the hypotenuse.

In a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to a systemfor airtight sealing of leaks at the intersection between a wall portionand a beam portion projecting from the wall portion, comprising at leastone cover element, which comprises two flexible film portions, whichfilm portions are connected to each other along edge portions, linearfolding lines being arranged in said film portions to enable unfoldingof the cover element for forming a three-dimensional geometry includinga main surface and a collar which projects from the main surface and isformed integrally therewith and which corresponds to three sides of saidbeam portion, and a diffusion and airsealing film stretched over thewall portion, the unfolded cover element being adapted to be attached tosaid diffusion and airsealing film at said intersection for airtightsealing of said leaks.

By leaks is meant here defects such as gaps, cracks, penetrations andimperfect overlaps in a surface intended to be airtight.

The cover element forming part of the system can be provided in the formof a two-dimensional, substantially plane geometry, which makes saidelement easy and inexpensive to distribute and handle prior to mounting,during which it is unfolded in one simple operation to form athree-dimensional geometry, which can be mounted directly or afterslight cutting/folding thereof. Also the diffusion and airsealing filmmay be provided in the form of goods sold by the metre, which aredistributed on rolls to the site of mounting.

The system and cover element are easy to mount, since the cover element,in its unfolded, three-dimensional state, forms large, substantiallyplane surfaces, which may be arranged to cover the leaks occurring whencutting out and folding in the diffusion and airsealing film that ismounted initially over the wall portion from which the beam portionsproject. The time-consuming and trying work of cutting and mountingadditional pieces to cover the leaks is hereby eliminated. The onlysupplementary work needed is to secure, for example by means of tape,the edge portions of the cover element to the surrounding surfaces ofthe diffusion and airsealing film. And this work can be carried outrapidly and without difficulty since all surfaces are large, plane andeasily accessible. As a result, the quality of the sealing work isincreased, which considerably reduces the risk of substandard sealing,which could lead, for instance, to damage due to moisture and to energyloss.

The cover element forming part of the system has a simple design, whichenables straightforward and inexpensive manufacture thereof.Furthermore, a single size of the cover element can be provided andused, since it can be easily adapted to match the currentdimensions/geometry of the beam portion. The dimensions/geometry of thebeam portion may vary, for example, depending on the type and age of thebuilding, the building standard and the manufacture.

In addition, the cover element may equally well be used for anintermediate floor having a beam portion that projects straight out froma wall portion, a tie beam or a so-called strut or brace wall.

The collar may be formed by a first of the two film portions. As aresult of the unfolding of the cover element into its three-dimensionalgeometry, folding of one of the film portions thus occurs in thisembodiment for forming three surfaces that may be arranged against threesides of said beam portion. The folding required to achieve this mayoccur, for instance, along the interconnected edge portions, which thusform folding lines, as well as along folding lines which in conjunctionwith the unfolding are formed on the surface of one of the two filmportions. The latter folding lines may be fold indications providedbeforehand or folding lines formed in conjunction with the unfolding asa result of the geometry of the film portions and edge portions.

The main surface may be formed by a first and a second of said two filmportions. This is a result of the cover element being unfolded into itsthree-dimensional geometry, whereby folding of at least one of the twofilm portions occurs for forming of said main surface. The folding may,for example, occur along the edge portions along which the film portionsare interconnected and which form folding lines, whereby the two filmportions are folded away from each other 180 degrees at these edgeportions to form a plane main surface.

The main surface and the collar may form, in the unfolded state of thecover element, four mutually orthogonal surfaces. Three of thesesurfaces are intended to abut against three sides of the beam portionwhile the fourth surface is intended to abut against the wall portionfrom which the beam portion projects. In the case where the intermediatefloor has right-angled components, which is usually the case, theorthogonal surfaces enable the sealing element to be mounted directlywithout adapting it by means of supplementary folding lines. The onlyadaptation required is basically to adjust the size of the surfacesdepending on the desired overlap relative to the surrounding diffusionand airsealing film and the current height of the beam portion. Shouldany angle discrepancies occur the cover element, because it is made offlexible film, can easily be provided with new folding lines or be cutaccordingly.

The main surface may be arranged to connect onto the diffusion andairsealing film stretched over the wall portion for forming asatisfactory seal against said film.

The system may further comprise a sealing material adjacent saidintersection between the cover element and the diffusion and airsealingfilm. The sealing material, which is used to ensure satisfactorysealing, may be, for example, tape, jointing compound or sealing strips.

The cover element may comprise adhesive-coated portions along at leastsome of the edge portions of the unfolded cover element. This allowsrapid and easy adhesion to the surrounding diffusion and airsealingfilm, whereby the use of supplementary sealing material can be limitedto such instances where the circumstances dictate the use thereof.

The edge portions along which the film portions are interconnected may,in the non-unfolded state of the cover element, form an isoscelestrapezoidal recess, the short side of which has a length correspondingto the width of said beam portion. As a result the cover element will,in its unfolded state, provide an excellent fit with three sides of thebeam portion.

The cover element may, in its non-unfolded state, comprise parallelfolding lines, which extend radially from the bottom of said isoscelestrapezoidal recess at a distance relative to one another correspondingto the width of said beam portion. Folding lines of this kind ensure abetter fit with the beam portion in the unfolded state of the coverelement.

The system typically comprises two cover elements, the collars of therespective cover elements being arranged to enclose said beam portionfrom two opposite directions. In this case, the collars mayadvantageously be arranged so as to enclose said beam portion in anoverlapping manner. The beam portion is thus enclosed and encapsulatedin a simple manner, and sealing can be effected using a suitable sealingmaterial.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a cover elementfor airtight sealing of leaks at an intersection between a wall portionand a beam portion projecting from the wall portion. The cover elementis characterised by two flexible film portions, which are connected toeach other along a first edge portion, the film portions comprisingfolding lines to enable unfolding of the cover element for forming athree-dimensional geometry including a main surface and a collar whichprojects from the main surface and is formed integrally therewith andwhich corresponds to three sides of said beam portion.

The advantages of such a cover element have been discussed above inconjunction with the discussion relating to the advantages of a systemcomprising such a cover element, and reference is therefore made to thatstated above.

Each film portion may, in the non-unfolded state of the cover element,have the shape of two triangles, which along their respective bases forma first surface, said bases being linearly separated from one another bya distance corresponding to the width of said beam portion for formingan isosceles trapezoidal recess in each film portion.

The edge portions along which said film portions are interconnected mayform said isosceles trapezoidal recess, and the short side of theisosceles trapezoidal recess may have a length corresponding to thewidth of said beam portion.

A first one of said two film portions may, in the unfolded state of thecover element, form said collar and the first film portion incombination with the second film portion may form said main surface.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will in the following be described in more detail by wayof example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, whichillustrate a currently preferred embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates schematically an example of a wall portion in which awindow is mounted.

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a wall portion with an attached, cutdiffusion and air sealing film.

FIG. 3 illustrates schematically a building corner with a cut and foldeddiffusion and air sealing film and the resulting leaks.

FIGS. 4 a-4 d illustrate a first embodiment of the inventive coverelement.

FIG. 5 shows the cover element mounted in a building corner.

FIG. 6 illustrates schematically a cover element with portions providedwith adhesive.

FIGS. 7 a-d illustrate a second embodiment of the cover element.

FIGS. 8 a-d illustrate a third embodiment of the cover element.

FIGS. 9 a-c illustrate additional embodiments.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a particular embodiment of the coverelement in its plane state before being unfolded to form athree-dimensional geometry.

FIG. 11 illustrates the same cover element when unfolded to form athree-dimensional geometry.

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates the cover element when arrangedadjacent an intermediate floor.

FIG. 13 schematic illustrates the cover element when arranged adjacent abrace wall.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, an example of a wall portion 100 in which awindow is mounted 101 is shown highly schematically. No ventilation gapand no facing are shown. The wall portion 100 is made up of a framework102 consisting of, for example, wood studs, forming a stud wall 103. Theactual window 101 is fixedly mounted in the stud wall 103 by the frameof the window 101 being fixedly mounted in the surrounding studs. Toprovide a wind and diffusion shield, a diffusion and air sealing film104 is attached to the stud wall 103. In connection with the buildingcorners 105, which are formed where at least three surfaces meet, thediffusion and air sealing film 104 is folded in. The diffusion and airsealing film 104 has vapour retarder or vapour barrier properties andcan be made of, for example, plastic film, aluminium foil, kraft paperor laminates of one of these materials. Laminates, if any, can beprovided with a reinforcing carrier layer. The stud wall 103 is furtherinsulated with an insulating material 106 which is arranged in theframework 102.

In mounting the diffusion and air sealing film 104, this is usuallyattached to the stud wall 103 and the window 101 mounted therein, afterwhich two diagonal cuts 107 are made in the film so that four triangularflaps 108 are formed, see FIG. 2. The flaps 108 are then folded into thewindow bay and the building corners 105 and attached to the wallsthereof, after which residual material in the tips of the flaps isremoved, see FIG. 3. In this method, there is, however, no diffusion andair sealing film 104 in the building corners 105 at the basis of theflaps, resulting in leaks 109 where moisture can enter and heat canescape. These leaks 109 are usually sealed according to prior arttechnique by means of pieces of diffusion and air sealing film, adhesivetape, sealing strip or jointing material. Sealing often occurs veryarbitrarily since there are no standards and guide lines and nocompleted sealing elements either. Furthermore the work often occursagainst the clock, which in itself often results in insufficientsealing. Finally, the inside of walls, window bay etc is cladded withmaterial in the form of, for example, paper-coated gypsum boards,borders, panels or other wall lining, which in itself makes inspectionof the sealing work very difficult.

In the following a first embodiment of a cover element 1 according tothe present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 a-4 dwhere the two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometries of theinventive cover element are shown. The inventive cover element is infact adapted to be provided as a two-dimensional geometry which inconnection with mounting is folded to form a three-dimensional geometry.

In its simplest, first embodiment, the cover element 1 comprises in itstwo-dimensional geometry, see FIG. 4 a, two identical flexible filmportions 2 which are arranged one on top of the other. For purposes ofillustration, each film portion 2 can, with reference to FIGS. 4 a-4 c,geometrically seen be divided into a trapezoid 3 provided with aright-angled corner and changing into a right-angled quadrangle 4. Morespecifically, the trapezoid 3 changes into the right-angled quadrangle 4along the shorter of the two parallel sides of the trapezoid. This giveseach film portion 2 the shape of a “boot” with a straight first rimportion 5 and an opposite angular second rim portion 6.

The two film portions 2 are interconnected by means of seam weldingalong the angular second rim portion 6. The weld can be divided into twolinear weld joints 7 which both extend along the angular second rimportion 6 from a point of intersection P.

Geometrically seen, the point of intersection P is arranged along thesecond rim portion in the transition between the right-angled quadrangle4 and the angular side of the trapezoid 3.

The cover element 1 comprises four linear fold lines 8, see FIG. 4 c,which all start from the point of intersection P, of which two are purefold lines 9 and two are formed by said weld joints 7. The two pure foldlines 9, which are arranged in the respective film portions 2, extendacross the cover element between the first 5 and the second 6 rimportion from the point of intersection P, that is along the transitionbetween the right-angled quadrangle 4 and the trapezoid 3. In the shownembodiment, these two fold lines 9 intersect the first rim portion 5 atright angles β. The purpose of the four fold lines 7, 8, 9 is to allowfolding of the cover element from a two-dimensional to athree-dimensional geometry.

The cover element is adapted to be provided in its two-dimensionalgeometry and then, in connection with mounting in a building corner, befolded to form a three-dimensional geometry by folding along the foldlines, see FIG. 4 d.

The cover element 1 forms in its folded, three-dimensional geometrythree interconnected, essentially flat surfaces a, b, c which meet atthe point of intersection P. In the three-dimensional geometry, thepoint of intersection P is to be found in the centre of thethree-dimensionally folded cover element 1. Two of the surfaces a, b areformed by the two right-angled quadrangles 4, while the third surface cis formed together by the two trapezoids 3.

With reference to FIG. 5, the cover element 1 is adapted to be mountedin a building corner 105 in such a manner that three of the four foldlines 7, 8 9 are arranged over the edges of the building corner 105,while the fourth fold line 8 which consists of a weld joint 7 isarranged along the plane of the surrounding wall. The two surfaces a, bwhich are formed by the right-angled quadrangles 4 will thus cover thepreviously discussed leaks 109 which are formed in cutting and foldingof the diffusion and air sealing film 104.

In dependence on the chosen angle α formed between the two weld joints 7that meet at the point of intersection P, see FIG. 4 b, and thus theangle of the angular second rim portion 6, the three surfaces a, b, cthat are obtained in the folded three-dimensional geometry of the coverelement 1 can be caused to form three mutually orthogonal surfaces thatmeet at the point of intersection P, see FIG. 4 d so as to directly fitin a right-angled building corner. To allow this, the angle α is chosento be 135°.

It may easily be understood that the angle α can be adjusted in such amanner that the cover element fits in non-right-angled building corners.It will also be understood that the angle β between the pure fold lines9 and the first rim portion 5 can be adjusted according to the angles ofa building corner. This can take place either by the cover element beingprovided with fold lines with preselected, predetermined angles α and β,or by the fitter in connection with mounting arranging fold lines on hisown for adjusting the geometry to the building corner in question. For aperfect seal, the cover element 1 should overlap the posteriorlysituated diffusion and air sealing film 104 in connection with mountingin a building corner 105. This overlap should be somewhere between 100mm and 450 mm, see FIG. 5. This overlap is obtained with the length X, Yof the rim portions of the film portions. The cover element canadvantageously be provided with an oversized length of the parts of therim portions which are adapted to be oriented towards the buildingcorner during mounting, whereby the length can be adjusted by the fitterduring mounting in dependence on the depth of the building corner.

To facilitate mounting of the cover element 1, this may, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, comprise portions 10 provided with adhesive along all orsome of the rim portions of the three-dimensionally folded coverelement. As an alternative to the portions provided with adhesive, anadhesive can be arranged over the entire inner surface of the coverelement. The portions provided with adhesive are advantageously coatedwith a protective film (not shown), which is torn off in connection withmounting. The rim portions which in the three-dimensionally folded stateof the cover element are adapted to be oriented towards the buildingcorner can be left without adhesive if the length of the these rimportions in accordance with the discussion above is oversized to allowadjustment to the depth of the building corner in question.

It will be appreciated that the cover element can also be providedwithout adhesive and instead be attached to the posteriorly situateddiffusion and air sealing film by means of adhesive tape, sealing strip,jointing material or the like. It will further be appreciated that theinventive cover element should be supplemented with adhesive tape,jointing material or the like in the innermost part of the buildingcorner.

The flexible film portions 2 advantageously consist of an airtight filmwith vapour retarder or vapour barrier properties and can be made of,for instance, plastic film, aluminium foil, kraft paper or laminates ofthese materials. Laminates, if any, can be provided with a reinforcingcarrier layer of, for example, glass fibre. The cover element isadvantageously made of the same material as the surrounding diffusionand air sealing film. A typical thickness of this type of film is about0.2 mm. In the case where a laminate is used, this can have a thickness,for instance, in the range 0.15-0.30 mm. However, it will be appreciatedthat this is an example only.

With reference to FIGS. 7 a-7 d, an alternative embodiment of a coverelement 1′ according to the invention is illustrated. This embodimentdiffers from the one first described by the way in which the flexiblefilm portions are configured and joined to form the above describedtwo-dimensional geometry in the form of a “boot”.

The two-dimensional geometry is here created by two flexible filmportions 2′. The first film portion is a right-angled quadrangle 4′folded in two. The second film portion is also folded in two and formsin its state folded in two a trapezoid 3′ provided with a right-angledcorner. The two film portions 2′ are interconnected along two weldjoints 7′ in order to together form a straight first rim portion 5′ andan opposite angular second rim portion 6′. More specifically, the twofilm portions 2′ are joined along the shorter of the two parallel sidesof the trapezoid 3′. As a result, the fold lines 9′ of the first and thesecond film portion 2′ will meet at the point of intersection P andtogether form the second rim portion 6′. The two weld joints 7′ extendbetween the first 5′ and second rim portions 6′ from the point ofintersection P. In the embodiment illustrated, the weld joints 7′ extendat right angles β to the first rim portion 5′. The weld joints 7′ alsoform fold lines 8′.

Like in the first described embodiment, the cover element 1′ forms inits folded three-dimensional geometry, see FIG. 7 d, threeinterconnected surfaces a′, b′, c′ which meet at the point ofintersection P, which in the three-dimensional geometry is to be foundin the centre of the three-dimensionally folded cover element 1′. Two ofthe surfaces a′, b′ are formed by the three-dimensionally foldedright-angled quadrangle 4′ while the third surface 3′ is formed by thethree-dimensionally folded trapezoid 3′. The three-dimensional foldingof the cover element 1′ thus occurs along the angular second rim portion6′ and the two weld joints 7′. With reference to FIGS. 8 a-8 d, anotheralternative embodiment of a cover element 1″ according to the inventionis shown.

The two-dimensional geometry is here too created by two flexible filmportions 20″, 21″, see FIG. 8 a. The first film portion 20″ consists ofa first right-angled quadrangle 4″ which comprises three linear foldlines 9″ which meet at right angles at the point of intersection P inthe centre of the surface of the quadrangle. The point of intersection Pcan be arranged, for example, in the centre of the quadrangle.Furthermore the first film portion 20″ comprises a straight slit 11which extends at right angles from a rim portion to the point ofintersection P. The slit 11 and the three fold lines 9″ together dividethe first film portion 20″ into four quadrants d₁-d_(4.)

The second film portion 21″ has the form of a right-angled triangle 13folded in two along the hypotenuse 12.

The first and the second film portion 20″, 21″ are interconnected byseam welding by the legs 14 of the second film portion 21″ being weldedeach to one side of the slit 11 of the first film portion 20″, see FIG.8 b. This means that the cover element 1″ in its two-dimensionalposition obtains the previously described geometry in the form of a“boot” with a first straight rim portion 5″ and an opposite angularsecond rim portion 6″.

One of the fold lines 9″ of the quadrangle 4″ meets at the point ofintersection P the fold line which is arranged along the hypotenuse 12of the second film portion 12″ folded in two in order to form the abovedescribed angular second rim portion 6″. The other two fold lines 9″ ofthe quadrangle 4″ extend between the first 5″ and the second rim portion6″ from the point of intersection P at right angles β to the first rimportion 5″. All fold lines 9″ and weld lines 7″ thus meet, in accordancewith previous embodiments, at the point of intersection P.

When folding the cover element 1″ from its two-dimensional geometry toits three-dimensional geometry, three-dimensional folding takes placealong the fold lines 9″ of the first film portion 20″ and the fold linearranged along the hypotenuse 12 of the second film portion 21″ foldedin two. Thus the two surfaces a″, b″ of the three-dimensional geometrywill be formed by two quadrants d₁,d₂ of the first film portion 20″. Thethird surface c″ will be formed by the remaining two quadrants d₃,d₄ ofthe first film portion 20″ together with the three-dimensionally foldedsecond film portion 21″. Like in the above described embodiments, thecover element 1″ forms in its folded three-dimensional geometry threeinterconnected surfaces a″-c″ which meet at the point of intersection Pwhich is to be found in the centre of the cover element 1″.

In contrast to the above described embodiments, the weld lines 7″ do notform fold lines in this embodiment.

With reference to that stated above, three different embodiments of acover element according to the present invention have been described.

Like in the first embodiment, the angles α and β can in the second andthird embodiments be varied to adjust the cover element tonon-orthogonal building corners.

It will be appreciated that these are only three conceivable embodimentsand that the two-dimensional geometry itself can be varied within thescope of invention to allow folding to form a three-dimensional geometrywhich has three surfaces meeting at a point of intersection P. Forinstance, FIGS. 9 a and 9 b illustrate highly schematically two suchembodiments of a cover element 1 which is folded to form athree-dimensional geometry.

The cover element is formed by a first film portion 2 and a second filmportion 20. The first film portion 2 is folded along a fold line 8. Thesecond film portion 20 is by welding joined to the first film portion 2to form, together with this, a surface A. More specifically, the secondfilm portion 20 forms a surface segment Aa. The first film portion 2thus forms the surfaces B and C and together with the second filmportion 20 the surface A. All three surfaces A, B, C meet at the pointof intersection P.

Another variant is shown in FIG. 9 c, in which a first 2 and a secondfilm portion 20 are welded together to form three surfaces A, B, C whichin the three-dimensionally folded state of the cover element 1 meet atthe point of intersection P. Alternatively, the respective surfaces A,B, C can consist of separate welded together film portions.

Thus several modifications and variations are feasible and therefore theinvention is exclusively defined by the appended claims.

With reference to FIG. 10, an embodiment of the cover element 1001 inits plane state prior to unfolding is shown. In the illustratedembodiment, the cover element 1001 is made up of two plane, flexiblefilm portions 1002, which are arranged on top of each other such thattheir edge portions 1003 coincide.

Each film portion 1002 can be geometrically divided into tworight-angled triangles 1004, each with a base 1004 a and a hypotenuse1004 b. The triangles 1004 are oriented such that their respective bases1004 a form a first surface 1005, which in the illustrated embodiment isrectangular. In FIG. 10, the division into triangles 1004 and said firstsurface 1005 is indicated by a dashed and dotted line. The bases 1004 aof the two triangles 1004 are separated from one another along one sideof the first surface 1005. The distance between the two bases 1004 acorresponds to the width of the beam portion which is to be covered bythe cover element and which will be described below. The hypotenuses1004 b of the triangles 1004 form, together with the first surface 1005,an isosceles trapezoidal recess 1006. The edge portion 1007 of thisrecess 1006 constitutes a welding joint along which the two filmportions 1002 are interconnected. It will be appreciated, however, thatjoining methods other than welding are possible.

The first surface 1005 is described above as being rectangular. It willbe appreciated, however, that it may have any arbitrary shape, since itsfunction is to form, with the cover element in its mounted state, asurface that may overlap the substrate onto which the cover element isapplied. This is true also for the two triangles 1004, which may haveany arbitrary geometry.

In a preferred embodiment, the isosceles trapezoidal recess 1006 has anangle α of 45 degrees, i.e. the angle between the base 1004 a and thehypotenuse 1004 b of the respective triangle. An advantage associatedwith an angle of this magnitude is that the cover element, in itsunfolded state, will have mutually orthogonal surfaces.

Advantageously, at least one of the two film portions 1002 may comprisea first set of folding lines 1008 a, 1008 b in the form of two parallelfolding lines, as indicated by dashed lines, which extend from thebottom of said isosceles trapezoidal recess 1006 at a distance from oneanother corresponding to the width of said beam portion. These foldinglines extend towards the first surface 1005 and suitably originate atthe point of intersection between the base 1004 a and the hypotenuse ofthe respective triangle.

The same film portion 1002 may further comprise a second set of foldinglines 1009 a, 1009 b, which follow the base 1004 a of the respectivetriangle 1004.

The first and second sets of folding lines 1008 a, 1008 b, 1009 a, 1009b may, for instance, be preformed crease lines or faint foldindications, such as printed lines, to facilitate the skilled person'sunderstanding of how the cover element is to be unfolded. It will beappreciated that they may also be omitted entirely.

Advantageously, the flexible film portions 1002 consist of an airtightfilm with vapour retarder or vapour barrier properties and may be madeof, for example, plastic sheeting, aluminium sheeting, kraft paper or alaminate of these materials. The laminates, if any, may be provided witha reinforcing backing made, for example, of glass fibre. This is thesame type of material that is commonly used in the diffusion andairsealing films available on the market, which means that the fittermay simply use the same types of tape, jointing compound and the likethat are already at his disposal for other sealing work. Moreover, theproperties of the final diffusion seal are not affected, since no newmaterial types are added.

Advantageously, the cover element is made of the same material as thesurrounding diffusion and airsealing film. A typical film thickness ishere about 0.2 mm. In the case where a laminate is used, it may have athickness in the range of 0.15-0.30 mm. It will be appreciated, however,that these figures serve as examples only.

The inventive cover element 1001 is adapted to be provided as atwo-dimensional geometry which when mounted is unfolded to form athree-dimensional geometry, see FIG. 11. In its unfolded state, thethree-dimensional geometry forms four mutually orthogonal surfaces 1010a-d, as will be explained below.

In connection with the unfolding, a folding occurs along the edgeportion 1007 formed along the isosceles trapezoidal recess 1006, i.e.along the welding joint. The edge portion 1007 is illustratedschematically in FIG. 11 as a dotted line.

The folding along said edge portion 1007 occurs in such a manner thatthe two film portions 1002 are moved apart, whereby both film portionsare folded outwards so that they together form a substantially planemain surface 1011. Thus, a folding of 180 degrees occurs at this edgeportion 1007.

The film portion 1002 adapted to form a collar 1012 in conjunction withthe unfolding is folded along the first and second sets of folding lines1008 a, 1008 b, 1009 a, 1009 b, see the dashed lines in FIG. 11. Shouldthe film portion lack preformed folding lines said folding lines will beformed automatically upon unfolding due to the recessed geometry of thecover element. However, there will be no distinct transition between theorthogonal surfaces 1010 a-d thus formed.

To obtain the unfolded three-dimensional geometry, a folding of 180degrees has thus occurred along the two parts of the edge portion 1007of the isosceles trapezoidal recess 1006 that are formed along theinterconnected film portions 1002. Furthermore, a folding of 90 degreesoccurs along respectively the first and the second set of folding lines1008 a, 1008 b, 1009 a, 1009 b.

This results in a three-dimensional geometry having a substantiallyplane, main surface 1011 and a collar 1012 which is formed integrallytherewith and projects from the main surface. The cover element 1001thus has four mutually orthogonal surfaces 1010 a-d, of which onesurface forms the main surface 1011 and three surfaces form the collar1012.

To facilitate mounting, the cover element 1001 may comprise, as shown inFIG. 11, adhesive-coated portions 1013 along all or some of the edgeportions 1003 of the unfolded cover element. As an alternative to theadhesive portions 1013, an adhesive may be applied over the whole innersurface of the cover element. Advantageously, the adhesive portions areprovided with a protective film (not shown), which is torn off inconnection with mounting.

It will be appreciated that the cover element 1001 may be providedwithout an adhesive and instead be adapted for attachment to theunderlying diffusion and airsealing film by means of any suitablesealing material such as tape, sealing strips, jointing compound or thelike. It will also be appreciated that the inventive cover element maywell be supplemented with tape, jointing compound or the like also inthe case where it does have adhesive-coated portions.

Owing to its flexible construction, the cover element 1001 can be foldedinto its three-dimensional geometry from both directions, i.e. thecollar 1012 may be formed by either the first or the second of the twofilm portions 1002. This means that it is sufficient for theabove-mentioned adhesive portions to be arranged on one side, since thecover element can always be folded in such a manner that the adhesiveportions are facing the surface to which the cover element is to beattached, no matter whether this is an underlying diffusion andairsealing film or an overlapping second cover element.

With reference now to FIG. 12, a first application of the present coverelement 1001 is shown when mounted adjacent an intermediate floor 1100,where a beam portion 1101 projects straight out from a surrounding wallportion 1102. An intermediate floor 1100 of this kind is used, forinstance, between two storeys of a building. As seen in the longitudinaldirection of the building, a number of such beam portions are arrangedacross the building between its walls. For the sake of clarity, however,only one beam portion and one wall portion are shown.

Before applying the cover element 1001 and for the purpose of providingan air and diffusion barrier, a diffusion and airsealing film 1020 isinitially stretched over the surrounding wall portion 1102 formedbetween the separate beam portions. Recesses 1021 are formed in the film1020 adjacent the associated beam portion 1101 so as to allow the beamportion to protrude there through. The diffusion and airsealing film1020 is attached to adjacent joists (not shown).

The cover element 1001 is then mounted so as to form a cladding of thebeam portion 1101 at the intersection with the wall portion 1102. Thisis achieved by a first cover element 1001 a being mounted from a firstside of the beam portion 1101, which operation is performed, in theillustrated embodiment, from the underside of the beam portion. Thecover element 1001 a is arranged such that its main surface 1011 aengages the surrounding diffusion and air sealing film 1020 and that itscollar 1012 a encloses three sides of the beam portion 1101. The edgeportions 1003 a of the cover element 1001 a are attached to thesurrounding diffusion and airsealing film 1020 and the sides of the beamportion, respectively. Attachment may be effected either by the coverelement being, in itself, provided with an adhesive or by using separatemeans of attachment, such as staples, tape or the like. Advantageously,the tape may consist of double-stick sealing strips.

A second cover element 1001 b is then arranged in a corresponding manneragainst the opposite side of the beam portion 1101, i.e. from its upperside in the embodiment shown, such that the main surface 1011 b of thesecond cover element 1001 b engages with the underlying diffusion andairsealing film 1020 and that its collar 1012 b encloses three sides ofthe beam portion 1101. The second cover element 1001 b iscorrespondingly attached to the surrounding diffusion and airsealingfilm 1020 but also to the underlying first cover element 1001 a.Attachment may be effected either by the cover element being, in itself,provided with an adhesive or by using separate means of attachment, suchas staples, tape or the like.

Finally, if desired, a horizontal diffusion and air sealing film (notshown) may be stretched over the beam portions and attached thereto forforming a horizontal continuous sealing surface.

The joints between the cover element and the underlying diffusion andairsealing film are sealed by applying a suitable sealing material, suchas tape, sealing strips, jointing compound or the like.

The two, thus overlapping cover elements, in cooperation with thesurrounding diffusion and airsealing film, enable rapid, easy andcomplete cladding of the intermediate floor and adjacent wall portion.

It will be appreciated that the opposite principle may be used, i.e.that the fitter first mounts the cover elements and then stretches adiffusion and airsealing film over the adjacent wall portions. Thisopposite principle is applicable in the case where there is an abutmentfor the main surfaces of the cover elements.

With reference to FIG. 13, an example of the use of a cover element 1001according to the present invention is shown as applied to a beam portion1101 of a brace wall 1104. A typical example of a brace wall is found inconnection with a roof truss. Each roof truss usually comprises a strutor brace extending upwards to connect the horizontal beam of the rooftruss with the crossbeams of the roof truss. This will be referred tobelow as a brace wall.

For the sake of simplicity, the brace wall 1104 is illustrated only inthe form of a part of a horizontal beam portion 1101 in combination witha part of a vertical brace 1103. When applying cladding to such a bracewall 1104, and for the purpose of providing an air and diffusionbarrier, a diffusion and airsealing film 1020 is stretched over thesurrounding wall portions formed between the braces of adjoining rooftrusses. In this way, a vertical continuous surface 1020 a and ahorizontal continuous surface 1020 b are formed between adjoining rooftrusses. The horizontal continuous surface is formed on the underside ofthe roof truss.

The brace wall 1104 may, before or after cladding, have or be providedwith an insulating material (not shown).

At each beam portion 1101, a first cover element 1001 a is then mountedfrom a first side of the beam portion 1101, the underside of the beamportion in the embodiment shown, such that the collar 1012 a of thecover element encloses three sides of the beam portion 1101 and that themain surface 1011 a of the cover element extends along the horizontalcontinuous surface 1020 b of the diffusion and airsealing film 1020described above. The cover element 1001 a is attached to the beamportion and the surrounding diffusion and airsealing film by means of,for example, staples, tape, adhesive or jointing compound.

A second cover element 1001 b is then mounted from the opposite side ofthe beam portion 1101, the upper side of the beam portion in theembodiment shown, such that the collar 1012 b of the cover elementencloses three sides of the beam portion and that the main surface 1011b of the cover element extends along the vertical continuous surface ofthe diffusion and airsealing film 1020 described above. The coverelement 100lb is attached to the beam portion and to the surroundingfilm by means of, for example, staples, tape, adhesive or jointingcompound.

Finally, a horizontal film (not shown) may be stretched over the beamsand attached thereto for forming a horizontal continuous surface.

If required, the joints between the cover element and the underlyingdiffusion and airsealing film may be sealed by applying a suitablesealing material, such as tape, sealing strips, jointing compound or thelike.

Accordingly, in a brace wall 1104 a folding of the main surface 1011 a,1011 b occurs in at least one cover element 1001 a, 1001 b, causing saidsurface to extend over both the horizontal and the vertical continuoussurface 1020 a, 1020 b of the diffusion and airsealing film 1020.

The two, thus overlapping cover elements 1001 a, 1001 b, in cooperationwith the surrounding diffusion and airsealing film 1020, enable rapid,easy and complete cladding of a brace wall and the adjacent intermediatefloor.

It will be appreciated that the opposite principle may be used, i.e.that the fitter first mounts the cover elements and then stretches adiffusion and airsealing film over the adjacent wall portions formedbetween the braces of adjoining roof trusses. This opposite principle isapplicable in the case where there is an abutment for the main surfacesof the cover elements.

It will be appreciated that due to its flexibility the cover element canbe easily adapted to match different geometries and angles of theintermediate floor and the brace wall. Moreover, the cover element maybe cut so as to match the current beam height.

To obtain a satisfactory seal, the cover element needs to overlap theunderlying diffusion and airsealing film. For a beam with a height of145 mm, for example, the overlap should be in the range of 0 mm to 145mm. The cover element may well be overdimensioned in terms of itslength, at least in those parts which are intended to form the collar,since this allows the cover element to be adapted by the fitter duringmounting according to the prevailing circumstances.

If staples are used they should generally be covered with some form ofsealing material.

The invention has been described above with respect to its applicationon massive wooden beams of square outside cross section. For beams orgirders of a different cross section, which is such that external ductsare formed therein, for example I-beams, C-beams or H-beams, it isadvantageous, in order to provide a satisfactory seal, to arrangesealing elements which “plug” the ducts for forming a reasonably planeunderlying surface, which can then be sealed by means of film stretchedover the wall and the inventive sealing element.

It will be appreciated that the illustrated embodiment of the coverelement is but one conceivable embodiment and that the two-dimensionalgeometry, as such, may be varied within the scope of the invention toenable unfolding for forming a three-dimensional geometry including amain surface and a collar which projects from the main surface and isformed integrally therewith and which corresponds to three sides of saidbeam portion. The flexible film portions may, for instance, be dividedinto several interconnected sections and the different sections may havea different extension than the one represented in the drawings, as longas the collar and the main surface, respectively, allow an overlaprelative to the surrounding diffusion and airsealing film.

Several variations and modifications are thus conceivable and,therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined solely by theappended claims.

1. A cover element for airtight sealing of leaks at an intersectionbetween a wall portion and a beam portion projecting from the wallportion, characterized by two overlapping and plane flexible filmportions, which are connected to each other along a first edge portion,the film portions comprising linear folding lines to enable unfolding ofthe cover element for forming a three-dimensional geometry including amain surface and a collar which projects from the main surface and isformed integrally therewith and which corresponds to three sides of saidbeam portion.
 2. A cover element as claimed in claim 1, wherein eachfilm portion, in the non-unfolded state of the cover element, has theshape of two triangles, which along their respective bases form a firstsurface, said bases being linearly separated from one another by adistance corresponding to the width of said beam portion for forming anisosceles trapezoidal recess in the respective film portion.
 3. A coverelement as claimed in claim 2, wherein said edge portions, along whichsaid film portions are interconnected, form said isosceles trapezoidalrecess, the short side of the isosceles trapezoidal recess having alength corresponding to the width of said beam portion.
 4. A coverelement as claimed in any one of claim 1, wherein a first one of saidtwo film portions of the cover element, in the unfolded state of thecover element, forms said collar and the first film portion incombination with the second film portion form said main surface.